Air or seaplane station



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GEORGE A. UHL, or sANAN'roNIo, TEXAS, Assisi TOR" or ONE-THIRD T0 GEORGE E. emrnn AND ONE-THIRD TO rnnnrs & nnwnns, A FIRM comrosnn or RAYMOND IEHELPS AND GEORGE DAHL DEWEES,

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ALL OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS" Application filed September 1.0, 1927. Serial No. 218,660.

The invention aims to provide a new and improved station for air or' seaplanes, by means of which flights may be easily started or terminated, as required, and instead of makinguse of a rather long runthe invention embodies an elevated annular track, a carriage movable along said track, and a. grapple carried by the carriage for another grapple on a plane. One form of grapple is used when a plane is to be started on aflight and the plane is supported by the grapple and. the carriage and is driven under its own power beneath 'the annular track, until sufiicient speed has been attained to allow the plane to safely take the air. Then, the flight-starting grapple is released, and the plane starts on its flight. For terminating a flight, another form of grapple is used and -it is suspended from the carriage beneath the annular track so that when a plane is driven under said track and carriage, the'grapple of said plane which projects above thelatter, gaged with the flight-terminatinggrapple, allowing the plane to idly travel around beneath the track until it comes to a standstill. By suitable hoisting mechanism, planes may be raised for engagement with the flightstarting grapple or may be lowered from the flight-terminating grapple. /Vith the foregoing and minor objects in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, the description being'supplemented by the accompanying drawing.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an air or seaplane stat'on constructed in accordance with my invention.

Figs. 2 and 3 are detail transverse sections partly in elevation showing the flight-terminating grapple and, the flight-starting grapple, respectively, in operative position.

In the drawing above briefly described, the numeral 5 denotes an appropriate mast or tower,-at whose base a building 6 is preferably employed to serve as a hangar for planes, a plane service station, etc. Radiating from the upper endof the mastor tower 5, are a may be enas a waiting room for passengers, as

a number of arms 7 which are rigidly attached thereto and carry an annular track 8 WlllCll surrounds and is concentric with said mast or tower. Freely movable along this track 8 is a carriage 9 which carries both flightstarting and flight-terminating grapples 10 11, respectively. Either of these graples -may be disposed at an operative position below the carriage 9 for engagement with an arched bailer grapple 12 on the plane 13.

In the presentshowing, a right angular member 14: is pivoted to the carriage at 15 so that either of its ends may project downwardly from said carriage, while the bther end then projects substantially horizontally. On one end-,of this member 14, the flightstarting grapple 10' is mounted and on the other end of said member, the fiight-terminating grapple 11 is carried, said last named end being preferably provided with an appropriate shock-absorbing device 16.

The flight-starting grapple 10 preferably comprises a hook 17 a guard 18 for said hook, and electro-magnetic or other means for releasing said guard when desired. The flightterminating grapple 11 preferably embodies a plurality of hooks 19 projecting in different directions.

When a flight is to be started the plane is elevated to a position directly under the carriage 9, by any preferred means not shown.

The flight-starting grapple 10 is then pulled downwardly against theactiorr of the counterbalance 14 and engaged with the planecarried grapple 12, and is held against accidental release therefrom by the guard 18. The plane may now travel around the mast or tower 5 under its own power until it has attained sufficient speed to permit of its safely taking off. Then, the'guard 18 is released, electrically or otherwise, and consequently the grapple or bail 1% of the plane is freed from the book 17, permitting the flight to be started safely and with ease. At the same time, weight 14? restores member 14 to normal position with the grapple 11 disposed downwardly, preparatory to receiving an incoming plane.

hen a flight is to be terminated, the plane is driven under the track 8, and its grapple or bail 12 engages one or another of the hooks 19 of the flight-terminating grapple 11. Then, the motor may be cut OE and the plane allowcd'todriftaround the mast or means not shown.

The member 14 1S of course easily swung to position the grapple 10 at operative position, at the same time disposing the other grapple 11 in a position at which it will be entirely out of the way.

Excellent results may be obtained-from the general subject matter herein disclosed, Whether used on land or upon ships, but it is to be understood that the present disclosure is for illustrative purposes only, and that within the scope of the invention as claimed, numerous variations may be made.

it claim:

1. An air or seaplane station comprising a tower, a plurality of arms rigidly secured to and radiating from the upper end of said tower, a continuous annular track supported rigidly by the outer ends of said arms, a carriage movable along said track, and a grapple hung from said carriage for engagement by another grapple member on the plane.

2. In an air or seaplane station, a carriage, flight-starting and flight-terminating grapples, and means mounting said, grapples movably on said carriage, said means permitting either of said grapples to move to an operative position at which it hangs from the carriage for enga 'ement with another grapple member on th plane.

afiixedmy signature.

of said member to project downwardly while the other end projects laterally from said car riage, a flight-starting grapple on one end or' said member, and a flight-terminating grapple on the other end of said member.

4-. An air or seaplane station comprising an elevated track, a carriage movable along said track, an angular member pivoted on Silld carrlage in a manner to permit elther end of said member to project downwardly while the other end projects laterally from said carriage, a flight-starting grapple on one end of said member, and a flight-terminating grapple on the other end of said member, said last named end being provided with a shock-absorbing device.

5. An air or. seaplane station comprising a vertically elongated tower, a continuous annular track around the upper portion of said tower and spaced'outwardly therefrom to permit planes to fly beneath said track, means rigidly supporting said track upon said tower, a carriage movable freely along said track, and a plane-engaging grapple hung from said carriage.

] In testimony whereof l[ have hereunto enoeen' a. man 

